Bumrah’s Fitness Under Spotlight as India Weigh Options Ahead of Series-Deciding Fourth Test

India’s preparations for the pivotal fourth Test against England in Manchester received a mixed update on Thursday, with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah skipping bowling duties during an extended training session at the Beckenham county ground. While the absence sparked concerns over his availability, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate suggested that Bumrah may still feature at Old Trafford with the series on the line.

“We will still make that call in Manchester, as we know we’ve got him for one of the last two Tests,” ten Doeschate said. “It’s pretty obvious the series is on the line now in Manchester, so there will be a leaning towards playing him.”

Ten Doeschate emphasised that the decision would be taken holistically, factoring in playing conditions, match duration, and team composition. “We’ve got to look at all the factors—how many days of cricket are we going to get up there? What do we feel is our best chance of winning that game? And then how that fits in together with The Oval and looking at the last two games holistically as part of the series.”

Bumrah, who has been instrumental in India’s campaign, was slated to play only three of the five Tests on this tour. He has already bowled a combined 86.4 overs in Leeds and Lord’s, claiming ten wickets, including two five-wicket hauls. He was rested in the Birmingham Test, as per the team’s workload management strategy.

India’s pace options have narrowed further with Arshdeep Singh suffering a hand injury during practice. The left-arm seamer was bowling to B. Sai Sudharsan when he sustained a cut on his bowling hand, forcing the medical team to intervene. “We have to see how bad the cut is,” ten Doeschate said. “If he needs stitches or doesn’t need stitches—that’s going to be important to our planning for the next few days.”

In more reassuring news, vice-captain Rishabh Pant is expected to be fit despite injuring his left index finger during the third Test at Lord’s. Pant had continued to bat in both innings through pain, with Dhruv Jurel donning the gloves.

“I don’t think it’s going to keep Rishabh out of the Test, no matter what,” said ten Doeschate. “He batted with quite a lot of pain in the third Test and it’s only going to get easier and easier on his finger.”

With the series delicately poised, India’s team selection for Manchester could play a defining role in the outcome of this hard-fought contest.